Global Hunger Index: Alarming Situation in 42 Countries

"Hunger is not a law of nature. When wealthy and affected countries take on their political responsibility, progress can be achieved - as shown by examples like Nepal and Bangladesh. For Switzerland, this means: Instead of further cutting the development cooperation budget, investments must be made specifically in reducing hunger," says Regula Rytz, President of Helvetas.

The UN has set the goal that we live in a world without hunger by 2030. Although significant progress was made by 2016, the decline has since stagnated, as confirmed once again by the Global Hunger Index 2025 published today. In 42 countries, the hunger situation is serious or alarming. "Zero Hunger" by 2030 is thus receding into the distance.

The reasons for the stagnation are diverse - and they are man-made.

The primary driver of hunger remains armed conflicts. They hinder supply and force millions of people to flee. The number of people suffering from famine - mainly in Gaza and Sudan - has more than doubled from 2023 to 2024.

Climate change also causes hunger, as extreme weather events result in crop failures.

Economic uncertainties and political priority shifts also lead to many states cutting their budgets for development cooperation.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region by hunger, with high rates of malnutrition and child mortality. South Asia is also heavily affected, where 281 million people, nearly 40% of the world's undernourished population, live. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the situation has even worsened since 2016, caused by inflation, debt, and increasing poverty. Particularly alarming hunger situations are found in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Madagascar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen.

Despite all this, the Global Hunger Index 2025 report notes progress in some countries, such as Nepal, Bangladesh, Somalia, Togo, or Mozambique. Targeted political measures can lead to significant improvements, as demonstrated by Nepal's example. The country exhibits the greatest reduction in hunger in the region. Nepal has enshrined the right to food at constitutional and legislative levels and implemented comprehensive nutrition plans. With the support of organizations like Helvetas, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene have improved for many people.

To make such progress possible in other countries, budgets for development cooperation and humanitarian aid must be increased. Only then can global hunger be effectively and sustainably eradicated.

The Global Hunger Index is published by Welthungerhilfe, Concern Worldwide, and the Institute for Peace and Security Law and International Humanitarian Law (IFHV) - with support from Helvetas since this year.

The current GHI report, graphics, and photos are available here: Media Release

Helvetas

Methodology and Data Basis

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool for comprehensive measurement and tracking of hunger on global, regional, and national levels over recent years and decades.

GHI scores are calculated using a formula that combines four indicators (see below) to reflect the multidimensional nature of hunger.

In 2025, data for 136 countries that met the criteria for inclusion in the GHI were evaluated. Of these, GHI scores for 123 countries were calculated based on data from 2020 to 2024.

The data used are from published sources of the United Nations - including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, as well as the World Bank and the Demographic and Health Surveys Program.

Four Indicators

Undernutrition: Share of the population that is undernourished - reflects insufficient caloric intake.

Child Stunting: Share of children under five years old who are stunted (too short for their age) - an indicator of chronic undernutrition.

Child Wasting: Share of children under five years old who are wasted (too light for their height) - an indicator of acute undernutrition.

Child Mortality: Share of children who die before their fifth birthday.

Press Contact:

Matthias Herfeldt Head of Communication matthias.herfeldt@helvetas.org 044 368 65 48 076 338 59 38

Rudolf Lüthi Head of Water, Nutrition, Climate Team rudolf.luethi@helvetas.org 031 385 10 97